After their conversation, Ignis left his parents' side to resume his training. His current limitations were clear: his physical strength was lacking, and there was a disconnect between his mind and body. His thoughts often outpaced his physical capabilities, leaving him unable to execute what he envisioned. To bridge this gap, he needed to understand the limits of his body—how quickly it could react, how far it could push, and how to align his vast experience with the constraints of his youthful frame.
He began by running in wide circles across the field, building stamina and rhythm. Once his body was warmed up, he moved on to basic exercises: push-ups, pull-ups, and other foundational drills. Finally, he focused on honing his sword techniques, repeating each motion until it became ingrained in his muscle memory. Every swing, every step, was a deliberate effort to synchronize his mind and body.
As their son trained, Alenna and Evan watched from a distance, their hearts swelling with pride. Ignis's determination was evident in every movement, a testament to his unwavering resolve.
Evan broke the silence, his voice filled with quiet confidence. "With his talent and sharp mind, Ignis will undoubtedly rise to the top of this world. Especially if he awakens his bloodline."
Alenna nodded in agreement, her gaze never leaving their son. "I believe it too. But, Evan, when will you tell him the truth about his bloodline? He deserves to know."
Evan's expression grew thoughtful, his voice tinged with caution. "Not yet. I don't want to raise his hopes too high. Awakening a bloodline is a matter of chance—it may happen, or it may not. If it does, then I'll reveal everything. Until then, let him focus on his growth without the weight of expectations."
Alenna placed a reassuring hand on Evan's, her touch gentle yet firm. "Don't worry. I have a feeling our son will awaken that bloodline—the one for which you and your father have endured so much. He carries your strength, your resilience."
Evan smiled, a rare warmth softening his features. For a moment, the weight of his responsibilities seemed to lift. But then, as if reminded of his duties, he straightened and clapped his hands together. "Well, I should get back to my own training. I can't afford to fall behind—I'm still a knight, after all. And I need to break through to the 5-star rank as soon as possible."
With that, Evan turned and strode away, his figure radiating determination. Alenna watched him go, her heart filled with a quiet hope for the future of her family.
From that day onward, Ignis settled into a rigorous training routine. He used the first day's regimen as the foundation for his daily practice, gradually increasing the intensity as his body grew stronger. Though the exercises remained largely the same—running, strength drills, and sword techniques—there was little else he could do at this stage. Before becoming a knight, physical conditioning and mastering the basics were the only paths to growth.
Every day, Ignis sparred with his father, Evan. In the beginning, Ignis was constantly on the defensive, struggling to keep up with Evan's skill and precision. But as the days turned into weeks, Ignis began to adapt. By the final day of sparring, just before the competition, he was no longer merely defending himself. He was fighting back, matching his father's sword moves with a determination that surprised even Evan.
Of course, Evan was holding back, using only the strength of an average adult male. But his mastery of the sword and the instincts of a 4-star knight were undeniable. To Ignis, his own attacks felt swift and powerful, but to Evan, they were slow and predictable, like the movements of a turtle. Victory was always out of Ignis's reach, but that didn't diminish his progress.
On the last day of their sparring, Evan paused and looked at his son with a mix of pride and astonishment. "Ignis," he said, his voice steady but filled with admiration, "if I were at your level of strength, I wouldn't stand a chance against you. Even with my years of experience and training, I'm only winning because I can anticipate your moves. But your technique… it's extraordinary. It's as if you've been wielding a sword for decades—not just any knight, but a master. Compared to your sophistication, my own training feels… inadequate. I don't even know what to say. Your talent is beyond anything I've ever seen."
Evan's words were sincere, but Ignis—or rather, the soul of Yamamoto Genryusai within him—knew the truth. This wasn't raw talent. It was the culmination of countless years of battle, of life-and-death struggles in the Seireitei. Every swing of his sword, every step, every calculated move was a reflection of a lifetime of experience. Though his body was young and limited, his mind carried the weight of a warrior who had lived through centuries of war.
As Ignis listened to his father's praise, he felt a quiet resolve settle within him. This was only the beginning. His journey to reclaim his former strength—and perhaps surpass it—was far from over.
Evan turned to Ignis, his tone casual but probing. "So, you've decided to spar with Kaelen tomorrow?"
Though no exact date had been set for the match, Ignis had promised the count it would take place roughly a month later. Now, a month had passed, and Ignis was a man of his word. To him, a promise was a promise, and a month was a month.
"Yes," Ignis replied simply, his voice steady.
Evan gave him an encouraging pat on the back, a proud smile spreading across his face. "You know, I'm not worried about this fight anymore. I'm certain you'll win—and it'll be an easy victory at that."
The next morning, Evan and Alenna accompanied Ignis to the count's mansion. Upon arrival, they were escorted to the mansion's sprawling garden, where the count and his family were enjoying their morning tea. The scene was serene, the air filled with the soft clinking of teacups and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze.
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